Breeze on the Met Line: Beginners' Ride from Ricky

- This is a women’s only ride which is very suitable for anyone who hasn't cycled for a long time or is not feeling confident about cycling. If anyone is struggling, we can cut the route short. There will be a leader at the front, another at the back, and a maximum of 4 participants.
- This is a very flat, completely traffic free beginners’ ride. I myself am recovering from a hip replacement and only restarted cycling this week, so want to ease back gradually.
- We will ride along the traffic-free Ebury Way, which is a disused railway line which has been converted to a walking/cycling path. We will ride towards Watford, and stop after 4 miles at the Tasty Bean café at the Oxhey Skatepark for a drink. If you want me to take you slightly further along the Ebury Way to see how to get to Watford we can do that as it’s very close. We will come back the same route.
- As the route is off road on a cycle path, with a few lumps and bumps, a hybrid or mountain bike is best (as the tyres are more robust). I will bring a spare lock, although we will be within sight of the bikes at the cafe.
- It would be good if you could try to bring an inner tube that fits your bike tyres. If you get a puncture, it’s much easier to simply swap the inner tube rather than try to fix a puncture on the spot. Even if you don’t know how to change an inner tube one of the leaders will.
- If you are driving to the start there is free parking at the Aquadrome - come in along Frogmore Lane. If you need help getting your bike out of your car or putting the wheel on let me know. I will message my number to everyone who signs up.
- You can take your bike anywhere on the Metropolitan Line off-peak (peak hours are Mon-Fri 7:30-9:30 and 16:00-19:00) - see https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycles-on-public-transport
- Metropolitan Line tubes leave Harrow on the Hill at 9:41am (stopping at North Harrow, Pinner, Northwood, etc.), arriving Rickmansworth at 9:59.
- You can take your bike on Chiltern Rail nearly any time of day – see https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/customer-service/travelling-your-bike
- Chiltern Rail trains leave Harrow on the Hill at 9:39am, arriving Rickmansworth at 9:49 (Same price as tube (£2.30) and you can use your Oyster/contactless card).
- TFL has recently banned electric bikes on the tube but you can still take them on Chiltern Rail.
- If you don’t know your way from Rickmansworth tube station to the aquadrome I can cycle up to meet you if you let me know the night before (so I can get to the aquadrome extra early).
- You can send me a message via the “message ride creator” button, with your phone number (you need to be logged in to the let’s ride website to see the button).
- There are public toilets at the Aquadrome and Oxhey Park.
- If you have any questions don’t hesitate to message me